GREAT ASHES TESTS - Ep1: The Demon

GREAT ASHES TESTS - Ep1: The Demon

Author: Simon Hughes November 4, 2025 Duration: 37:49
First of a five part series highlighting great Ashes Test matches through history. Narrated by Simon Hughes, this first episode tells the story of the epic 1882 Oval Test which signifies the birth of the Ashes. In it 'the Demon' Frederick Spofforth is irked by the antics of WG Grace and torpedoes the England batting for just 77 to give Australia their historic first victory in England by 7 runs. It prompted the mock obituary in the Sporting Times mourning the death of English cricket, and set in motion 146 years of intense rivalry, and counting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For anyone who feels the scorecard only tells half the story, The Analyst Inside Cricket offers the other half. Simon Hughes, known widely as The Analyst, teams up with the BBC's Simon Mann to pull back the curtain on the sport. This isn't just a recap of matches; it's a deep, engaging conversation that blends technical breakdown with the human narratives that define the game. You'll hear their firsthand experiences from around the world, alongside insights from the players, coaches, and personalities they've known for years. Each episode feels like sitting in on a candid chat between two experts who can explain the mechanics of a perfect seam position one moment and share a poignant, funny, or surprising anecdote from the dressing room the next. The podcast thrives on the details that get missed in the headlines-the tactical shifts, the personal journeys, and the off-field moments that truly shape cricket. If you're looking for rich context and stories that go beyond the boundary rope, this is where you'll find them.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Analyst Inside Cricket
Podcast Episodes
INDIA HUMBLE PAKISTAN (again) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
A pivotal moment in the T20 World Cup as India beat Pakistan for the umpteenth time at the halfway point in the tournament. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann ask if anyone can beat India in this format (in their own conditions…
SUPER CRICKET (except England) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
An incredible T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Afghanistan which goes to a second super-over is followed by England slumping to defeat at the hands of West indies excellent spinners. Simon Hughes and Simon Ma…
CURRAN SAVES ENGLAND'S BLUSHES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:44
In the T20 World Cup England almost suffer the ignominy of losing to brave, plucky Nepal. Sam Curran holds his nerve to put out Nepal's fire and defend 10 off the last over. Also in this episode we analyse India's near m…
T20 WORLD CUP PREVIEW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:13
After a messy build up, the ICC T20 World cup begins this weekend in India and Sri Lanka. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by former Indian player Deep Dasgupta to assess the competition and ponder who can stop Ind…
TRIUMPH AT LAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:06
England can finally toast a series victory this winter with a barnstorming batting performance in the final ODI in Sri Lanka. On the back of a 20th ODI century by Joe Root and a stylish 67 from Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook…
Root Can't Stop the Rot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
England's woeful winter continues with a defeat in the first odi in Sri Lanka, making it 8 losses and one solitary victory in all formats since they departed for New Zealand in October. Joe Root and Ben Duckett compiled…
2005 ASHES: 5th TEST - URN REGAINED [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:11
The final episode of our specially produced series on the 2005 Ashes - when England finally regained the urn at the Oval after almost two decades without it. The epic series is still in the balance until the last day of…
2005 ASHES - 4th TEST (Trent Bridge) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:37
Continuing our recap of the epic 2005 Ashes, featuring the nerve-tingling Trent Bridge Test when England forced Australia to follow on for the first time for 20 years and then almost sacrificed themselves to the wizardly…
2005 ASHES - 3rd TEST (Old Trafford) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:29
The gripping third Test of the 2005 Ashes, the one when Simon Jones delivered one of the greatest inswingers of all time, the ground was full on the last day with 20,000 turned away, Ricky Ponting had to be dragged off a…
2005 ASHES - THE GREATEST TEST (Edgbaston) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:20
Re-running our greatest Ashes audio and video series - this is the epic 2005 Edgbaston Test which eventually after a pulsating arm wrestle England won by two runs. Features interviews with many of the participants (inclu…